Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An accessory device for interacting with an electronic device having a touch sensitive surface, the accessory device comprising: a housing having walls suitable for carrying operational components, the operational components comprising: a processor capable of providing instructions, an interface unit extending through an opening at a distal end of the housing, wherein the interface unit is capable of interacting with the touch sensitive surface, a sensor in communication with the processor and the interface unit, wherein the sensor is capable of (i) detecting a stimulus generated by the interaction between the interface unit and the touch sensitive surface, and (ii) responding by providing a feedback parameter to the processor that responds by providing a feedback instruction, a feedback component in communication with the processor, wherein the feedback component is a cantilever actuator that includes a piezoelectric flexible beam coupled to a mass, and in response to the feedback component receiving the feedback instruction from the processor, the piezoelectric flexible beam flexes such as to cause the mass to transmit a feedback force to the walls of the housing, and a rotational mechanism coupled to the feedback component and the processor such that the processor is capable of instructing the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component.
A stylus-like accessory device interacts with an electronic device's touch-sensitive surface. It includes a housing containing a processor, an interface unit for touching the surface, a sensor, a feedback component, and a rotational mechanism. The sensor detects a stimulus from the interaction and sends a feedback parameter to the processor, which then issues a feedback instruction. The feedback component is a cantilever actuator with a piezoelectric flexible beam attached to a mass. Upon receiving the instruction, the beam flexes, causing the mass to transmit a haptic feedback force to the housing walls. The processor can also instruct the rotational mechanism to rotate this feedback component.
2. The accessory device of claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric flexible beam flexes in a predetermined manner that is based on a strength of the stimulus.
This stylus-like accessory device interacts with an electronic device's touch-sensitive surface. It includes a housing containing a processor, an interface unit for touching the surface, a sensor, a feedback component, and a rotational mechanism. The sensor detects a stimulus from the interaction and sends a feedback parameter to the processor, which then issues a feedback instruction. The feedback component is a cantilever actuator with a piezoelectric flexible beam attached to a mass. Upon receiving the instruction, the piezoelectric flexible beam flexes in a predetermined manner, where this flexing behavior is specifically based on the strength of the detected stimulus. The mass transmits a haptic feedback force to the housing walls. The processor can also instruct the rotational mechanism to rotate this feedback component.
3. The accessory device of claim 2 , wherein the piezoelectric flexible beam is capable of flexing in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.
This stylus-like accessory device interacts with an electronic device's touch-sensitive surface. It includes a housing containing a processor, an interface unit for touching the surface, a sensor, a feedback component, and a rotational mechanism. The sensor detects a stimulus from the interaction and sends a feedback parameter to the processor, which then issues a feedback instruction. The feedback component is a cantilever actuator with a piezoelectric flexible beam attached to a mass. Upon receiving the instruction, the piezoelectric flexible beam flexes in a predetermined manner, based on the stimulus strength. Importantly, this piezoelectric flexible beam can flex in both a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first, causing the mass to transmit a haptic feedback force to the housing walls. The processor can also instruct the rotational mechanism to rotate this feedback component.
4. The accessory device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is capable of detecting a change in orientation of the accessory device relative to the electronic device when the interface unit interacts with the touch sensitive surface.
A stylus-like accessory device interacts with an electronic device's touch-sensitive surface. It includes a housing containing a processor, an interface unit for touching the surface, a sensor, a feedback component, and a rotational mechanism. The sensor is capable of detecting both a stimulus from the interaction and a change in the accessory device's orientation relative to the electronic device during this interaction. The sensor sends a feedback parameter to the processor, which then issues a feedback instruction. The feedback component is a cantilever actuator with a piezoelectric flexible beam attached to a mass. Upon receiving the instruction, the beam flexes, causing the mass to transmit a haptic feedback force to the housing walls. The processor can also instruct the rotational mechanism to rotate this feedback component.
5. The accessory device of claim 4 , wherein the feedback component rotates according to the change in orientation.
A stylus-like accessory device interacts with an electronic device's touch-sensitive surface. It includes a housing containing a processor, an interface unit for touching the surface, a sensor, a feedback component, and a rotational mechanism. The sensor detects both a stimulus from the interaction and a change in the accessory device's orientation relative to the electronic device during this interaction, sending a feedback parameter to the processor which then issues a feedback instruction. The feedback component, a cantilever actuator with a piezoelectric flexible beam attached to a mass, flexes its beam upon instruction, causing the mass to transmit a haptic feedback force to the housing walls. Crucially, the feedback component rotates according to the detected change in orientation, controlled by the processor through the rotational mechanism.
6. The accessory device of claim 1 , wherein the feedback parameter includes a change in capacitance, and the change in capacitance corresponds to at least one of a change in position, a distance traveled, an acceleration, a speed, or a force applied by the interface unit against the touch sensitive surface.
A stylus-like accessory device interacts with an electronic device's touch-sensitive surface. It includes a housing containing a processor, an interface unit for touching the surface, a sensor, a feedback component, and a rotational mechanism. The sensor detects a stimulus from the interaction and sends a feedback parameter to the processor, which then issues a feedback instruction. This feedback parameter includes a change in capacitance, corresponding to parameters like a change in position, distance traveled, acceleration, speed, or force applied by the interface unit against the touch surface. The feedback component is a cantilever actuator with a piezoelectric flexible beam attached to a mass. Upon receiving the instruction, the beam flexes, causing the mass to transmit a haptic feedback force to the housing walls. The processor can also instruct the rotational mechanism to rotate this feedback component.
7. The accessory device of claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the walls is textured with grooves or ridges to simulate a skin shearing effect when the feedback force is transmitted to the walls of the housing.
A stylus-like accessory device interacts with an electronic device's touch-sensitive surface. It includes a housing containing a processor, an interface unit for touching the surface, a sensor, a feedback component, and a rotational mechanism. The sensor detects a stimulus from the interaction and sends a feedback parameter to the processor, which then issues a feedback instruction. The feedback component is a cantilever actuator with a piezoelectric flexible beam attached to a mass. Upon receiving the instruction, the beam flexes, causing the mass to transmit a haptic feedback force to the housing walls. To enhance the haptic experience, the exterior surface of the housing walls is textured with grooves or ridges, simulating a skin shearing effect when the feedback force is transmitted. The processor can also instruct the rotational mechanism to rotate this feedback component.
8. An electronic pencil for use with an electronic device having a display assembly, the display assembly including a touch sensitive surface, the electronic pencil comprising: a housing having walls capable of carrying components, the components including: a processor capable of providing instructions, the processor coupled to: an input component extending from an opening at a distal end of the housing, a sensor in communication with the input component, wherein the sensor is capable of (i) detecting a change in orientation of the input component when the input component engages with the touch sensitive surface, and (ii) responding by providing a detection signal to the processor, and a feedback component coupled to a rotational mechanism, wherein the processor responds to the detection signal by instructing (i) the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component according to an altered position based on the detected change in orientation, and (ii) the feedback component to transmit a feedback force to the walls of the housing while in the altered position.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface, sending a detection signal to the processor. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, based on the detected orientation change. Simultaneously, the processor commands the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls while it is in this altered position, providing localized feedback.
9. The electronic pencil of claim 8 , wherein the rotational mechanism is capable of rotating the feedback component in at least a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface, sending a detection signal to the processor. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, based on the detected orientation change. This rotational mechanism is specifically capable of rotating the feedback component in at least a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. Simultaneously, the processor commands the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls while it is in this altered position, providing localized feedback.
10. The electronic pencil of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first direction or the second direction corresponds to at least one of a pitch, a yaw, or a roll of the detected change in the orientation of the input component.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface, sending a detection signal to the processor. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, based on the detected orientation change. This rotational mechanism is capable of rotating the feedback component in a first and a second direction (opposite). At least one of these directions corresponds to a pitch, yaw, or roll of the detected change in the input component's orientation. Simultaneously, the processor commands the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls while in this altered position.
11. The electronic pencil of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is capable of (i) detecting a stimulus generated by the engagement between the input component and the touch sensitive surface, and (ii) responding by providing a feedback parameter to the processor.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects both changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface and a stimulus generated by this engagement. It sends a detection signal and a feedback parameter to the processor. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, based on the detected orientation change. Simultaneously, the processor commands the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls while it is in this altered position, providing localized feedback.
12. The electronic pencil of claim 11 , wherein the processor responds to the feedback parameter by instructing the feedback component to transmit the feedback force to the walls of the housing.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects both changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface and a stimulus generated by this engagement, sending a detection signal and a feedback parameter to the processor. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position based on the detected orientation change. Additionally, the processor responds to the feedback parameter by instructing the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls while it is in this altered position, providing localized feedback.
13. The electronic pencil of claim 12 , wherein the feedback component comprises a mass coupled to a piezoelectric element, and the piezoelectric element is capable of oscillating the mass in a predetermined manner that is based on the stimulus.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects both changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface and a stimulus generated by this engagement, sending a detection signal and a feedback parameter to the processor. The feedback component comprises a mass coupled to a piezoelectric element. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, and also instructs the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls by oscillating the mass via the piezoelectric element in a predetermined manner based on the stimulus while in the altered position.
14. The electronic pencil of claim 13 , wherein a weight of the mass is actively biased by the rotational mechanism so as to provide a balanced weight distribution within the electronic pencil.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects both changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface and a stimulus generated by this engagement, sending a detection signal and a feedback parameter to the processor. The feedback component comprises a mass coupled to a piezoelectric element. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, and also instructs the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls by oscillating the mass via the piezoelectric element in a predetermined manner based on the stimulus. Importantly, the weight of the mass is actively biased by the rotational mechanism to provide a balanced weight distribution within the electronic pencil.
15. The electronic pencil of claim 14 , wherein the piezoelectric element includes a stack of piezoelectric discs that are capable of amplifying the oscillation of the mass.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects both changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface and a stimulus generated by this engagement, sending a detection signal and a feedback parameter to the processor. The feedback component comprises a mass coupled to a piezoelectric element, where this piezoelectric element includes a stack of piezoelectric discs capable of amplifying the oscillation of the mass. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, and also instructs the feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls by oscillating the mass in a predetermined manner based on the stimulus. The mass's weight is actively biased by the rotational mechanism for balanced weight distribution within the pencil.
16. The electronic pencil of claim 8 , wherein the feedback component is a cantilever actuator that comprises a piezoelectric flexible beam that is coupled to the walls of the housing via a rigid mount.
An electronic pencil is designed for use with an electronic device having a touch-sensitive display. It features a housing containing a processor, an input component, a sensor, and a feedback component linked to a rotational mechanism. The input component extends from the housing's distal end and engages the touch surface. The sensor detects changes in the input component's orientation when it engages the surface, sending a detection signal to the processor. In response, the processor instructs the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to an altered position, based on the detected orientation change. The feedback component is specifically a cantilever actuator comprising a piezoelectric flexible beam rigidly mounted to the housing walls. Simultaneously, the processor commands this feedback component to transmit a haptic force to the housing walls while it is in this altered position, providing localized feedback.
17. A method for generating feedback at an accessory device that includes a housing, a sensor carried by walls of the housing, a feedback component that is coupled to a rotational mechanism and disposed in a first orientation, and a processor in communication with the sensor and the feedback component, the method comprising: in response to detecting, by the sensor, a stimulus caused by an interaction between an interface unit of the accessory device and a touch sensitive surface of an electronic device: receiving, by the processor, a detection signal that is based on the stimulus from the sensor; causing the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component according to a second orientation different than the first orientation; and instructing, by the processor, the feedback component to transmit an amount of feedback force to the walls of the housing while the feedback component is disposed according to the second orientation, wherein the amount of feedback force is based on the stimulus.
A method generates haptic feedback in an accessory device which includes a housing, a sensor, a feedback component connected to a rotational mechanism (initially in a first orientation), and a processor. When the sensor detects a stimulus caused by the accessory device's interface unit interacting with an electronic device's touch surface, the processor receives a detection signal based on this stimulus. The method then involves causing the rotational mechanism to rotate the feedback component to a second orientation, different from the first. Finally, the processor instructs the feedback component to transmit a specific amount of haptic feedback force to the housing walls while it is in this second orientation, with the force amount determined by the initial stimulus.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the feedback component is a cantilever actuator having a mass coupled to a distal end of a piezoelectric flexible beam.
A method generates haptic feedback in an accessory device which includes a housing, a sensor, a feedback component connected to a rotational mechanism (initially in a first orientation), and a processor. When the sensor detects a stimulus caused by the accessory device's interface unit interacting with an electronic device's touch surface, the processor receives a detection signal based on this stimulus. The feedback component is specifically a cantilever actuator having a mass coupled to a distal end of a piezoelectric flexible beam. The method then involves causing the rotational mechanism to rotate this cantilever actuator feedback component to a second orientation, different from the first. Finally, the processor instructs the feedback component to transmit a specific amount of haptic feedback force to the housing walls while it is in this second orientation, with the force amount determined by the initial stimulus.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the rotation of the feedback component causes a rotation of the mass such that the mass imparts a balanced weight distribution.
A method generates haptic feedback in an accessory device which includes a housing, a sensor, a feedback component connected to a rotational mechanism (initially in a first orientation), and a processor. When the sensor detects a stimulus caused by the accessory device's interface unit interacting with an electronic device's touch surface, the processor receives a detection signal based on this stimulus. The feedback component is specifically a cantilever actuator having a mass coupled to a distal end of a piezoelectric flexible beam. The method then involves causing the rotational mechanism to rotate this cantilever actuator feedback component to a second orientation, different from the first. This rotation of the feedback component causes a rotation of the mass such that the mass imparts a balanced weight distribution within the device. Finally, the processor instructs the feedback component to transmit a specific amount of haptic feedback force to the housing walls while it is in this second orientation, with the force amount determined by the initial stimulus.
Unknown
July 28, 2020
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